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By Shehryar Sarwar, Canadian Red Cross relief worker in Pakistan
Some 12,000 thermal blankets destined for the survivors of the October 8 earthquake have arrived in Masehra in the quake zone of Pakistan.
The blankets were flown by Canadian military aircraft to Islamabad then transported in a truck convoy to a Red Cross/Red Crescent relief distribution centre in Mansehra in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
Canadian Red Cross delegate, Ralph Smith ensured that the blankets made their way into the logistics pipeline.
As these blankets were added to the growing inventory of relief goods in Mansehra, Asar ul Haq, International Red Cross disaster management delegate commented: “This is really wonderful. The weather in the disaster zone has deteriorated considerably in the last day or so, and these warm blankets will be extremely helpful to the victims. We are grateful to Canada for this donation.”
Mansehra is a two hour drive south of Balakot—one of the most heavily damaged areas in the country. Its surrounding villages—isolated and built mostly along hilltops—have been devastated by the massive quake and ensuing mudslides.